Guidelines for the general election to the 30th Dáil

F. Persons who may be incurring expenditure, without proper authorisation, to promote or oppose a candidate at the general election

1.33  It is an offence for a candidate, or anybody else, including, for example, a local branch of a political party, to incur expenses or make payments in connection with a candidate's campaign if this is not authorised by the candidate's election agent or the national agent of the candidate's political party.  This includes accepting a donation of election material or a service, e.g., leaflets or advertising, whether free or below commercial price.

1.34  Notices or advertisements in newspapers, magazines or other publications which promote or oppose the interests of a political party or a candidate may be placed only if requested by a candidate, a candidate's election agent, a national agent of a political party or a person authorised in writing by the candidate or either agent. 

1.35  "Third parties" or "other persons" (see Chapter 4) may place notices or advertisements in newspapers, magazines or other publications if they produce to the publisher a certificate from the Standards Commission confirming that they have complied with their legal obligations as outlined in paragraph 4.18.  This certificate is issued by the Standards Commission when all the relevant information is received from the third party/other person.  The Standards Commission will notify publishers of the requirements of the legislation in this regard.

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